For instance, LinkedIn is now using its users’ resumes to fine-tune its AI models, while Snapchat has indicated that if users engage with certain AI features, their content might appear in advertisements. Despite this, many users remain unaware that their social media posts and photos are being used to train AI systems.
Social Media: A Prime Resource for AI Training
AI companies aim to make their models as natural and conversational as possible, with social media serving as an ideal training ground. The content generated by users on these platforms offers an extensive and varied source of human interaction. Social media posts reflect everyday speech and provide up-to-date information on global events, which is vital for producing reliable AI systems.
However, it's important to recognize that AI companies are utilizing user-generated content for free. Your vacation pictures, birthday selfies, and personal posts are being exploited for profit. While users can opt out of certain services, the process varies across platforms, and there is no assurance that your content will be fully protected, as third parties may still have access to it.
How Social Platforms Are Using Your Data
Recently, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revealed that social media platforms are not effectively regulating how they use user data. Major platforms have been found to use personal data for AI training purposes without proper oversight.
For example, LinkedIn has stated that user content can be utilized by the platform or its partners, though they aim to redact or remove personal details from AI training data sets. Users can opt out by navigating to their "Settings and Privacy" under the "Data Privacy" section. However, opting out won’t affect data already collected.
Similarly, the platform formerly known as Twitter, now X, has been using user posts to train its chatbot, Grok. Elon Musk’s social media company has confirmed that its AI startup, xAI, leverages content from X users and their interactions with Grok to enhance the chatbot’s ability to deliver “accurate, relevant, and engaging” responses. The goal is to give the bot a more human-like sense of humor and wit.
To opt out of this, users need to visit the "Data Sharing and Personalization" tab in the "Privacy and Safety" settings. Under the “Grok” section, they can uncheck the box that permits the platform to use their data for AI purposes.
Regardless of the platform, users need to stay vigilant about how their online content may be repurposed by AI companies for training. Always review your privacy settings to ensure you’re informed and protected from unintended data usage by AI technologies
